Beauty Blogs Backstage: K from Cosmeddicted

If you're even remotely into Asian makeup, or read up on Asian brands, you'll definitely have chanced across Kay's blog before. Her blog, Cosmeddicted, features beuaty from all over the world. There are tons of Western brands there (LUSH is an especial favourite), but also lots of Japanese brands of all kinds.

I got to ask her 10 questions, and here are her answers! I do love her insights on Asian vs Western beauty beauty ideals and products; having lived in both places, I definitely agree with her answers! But you'll want to read them for yourself, of course, so here's the interview:

1. Tell us a bit more about you. How long have you been living in Japan? Are you Japanese by descent?

I'm native Japanese! Some people ask me this question when they first meet me because I don't have a Japanese accent. I lived in the UK and in the US for nearly 12 years when I was a child!

2. I know some readers will wonder about this, so here's the question you knew was coming: Were you been affected by the recent natural disasters in Japan, and how's things now?

I moved abroad last October, so I was not directly affected. My parents are still there and I get weekly updates. Initially, it was very unnerving since Japanese news and foreign news were covering it so differently. Things are not back to how they were, though. There are a lot of shortages in supermarkets, and of course, the nuclear situation is not settled.

3. Why did you start blogging?

I've always loved makeup and beauty, and I was a long time beauty blog reader before I started blogging myself. I watched a lot of youtube videos, and started following some blogs. I was so amazed at the friendship between beauty bloggers, even the ones that had never met each other, that I really wanted to be in the community. One bloggers that really inspired me is Mona of Makemeblushhh - it's amazing to me that now, we talk with each other regularly and have met both in Japan and in NY!

4. Has your blogging impacted your non-online life?

Not really. I've always hauled a lot of makeup and beauty products each time I went to the US on vacation. Now, I read more blogger reviews on what I should buy before I get there! There are a lot of brands I wouldn't have known about if it weren't for blogging, like Urban Decay, Sleek, My Beauty Diary - all not available in Japan!

5. Your blog underwent a name change from Bihada Diaries to Cosmeddicted awhile back. Any particular reason for the change?

There were a few reasons. I was at 500 followers and I wanted to get my own domain. I also found that several people could not pronounce "Bihada" (which means "beautiful skin", by the way). I had a giveaway to get suggestions, and this was the winner!

6. You blog a lot about Asian beauty brands and products (just like me! Yay!). Do you feel there is any difference between Asian and Western makeup offerings?

In general, Asian skin care places more emphasis on whitening. All lines also have toners, usually non-alcoholic, which are meant to moisturize your skin. Western moisturizers are generally what I would call creams or lotions, not meant to hydrate the skin, but to prevent it from being dried out further.

Another difference is the emphasis in Asia on pretty packaging. I've seen a lot of western bloggers complain on why they can't get such cute packaging in the US. I hope they are ready to pay the prices we pay for drugstore makeup - typically a drugstore mascara will run $15!

7. Speaking of Asian vs. Western beauty, here's another question on that topic. Do you feel that beauty ideals in Asia differ significantly from those in the West?

Other than the whitening aspect I mentioned in the previous question, a big difference is the attitude towards hair. Western hair products are aimed at increasing volume. Asian products are aimed at making your hair silky and less puffy, meaning less volumized. Interesting!

Another big difference is the emphasis on originality. Typically, I find that Western beauty is more tolerant of non-typical beauty, whereas in Asia, we need to conform to a certain type of beauty. For example, I have never seen a plus size model in Japan.

8. You bravely blog about weight issues from time to time. Do you feel there is a pressure on girls to look a certain way, or conform to certain ideals of healthiness?

I mentioned in my first weight loss post on why I wanted to lose weight. It was so that I could go out and buy clothes in normal stores. I'm a US size 6-8, which in Japan is a Large. Many stores in Japan carry only one size - Medium (between a 2-4 in US sizes). The fact that there is only one size in stores clearly shows that there is a lot of pressure to look a certain way. I need to lose weight for a simple reason, which is that I need clothes to wear.

Another example of beauty ideals in Asia - in China, bigger sizes are for taller girls. Instead of size 2, 4, etc, the sizes are 155, 160, 165, with the numbers standing for height in centimeters. This means that the size 170 skirt will be at least 7 cm (3 inches) longer than the size 155 skirt, which means that it will look totally different! You can see that China expects all girls to be the same shape, with only the height being different.

9. What's your greatest beauty challenge?

Other than losing weight? Being confident in myself. Growing up in the US has made me act confident, much more so than my Asian peers. However, I really do not have a good image of myself, in how I look, act, or how others perceive me.

10. And of course, we couldn't end the interview without asking: what are your favourite desert island beauty products?

Sunscreen! I completely agree with you on this one! And get one with both UV-A and UV-B protection!!!

Beauty Blog Backstage: Retro Urban Rainbow

Today's post is an interview with Rachael of Retro Urban Rainbow! She's got an awesome blog, as you'll discover from the interview:

1. What made you start your blog?
At the time I got laid off work and had all this extra time and nothing to do with it. It got me playing with my cosmetics more and doing my roommates makeup everytime we went out. A friend said to me "I like when you post your makeup on facebook." It was that statement I thought I should start my own blog!

2. Your blog features a lot of very vibrant, sometimes-bordering-on-almost-crazy makeup looks. Do you wear these looks out, or are they just for your blog or for experimentation?
When I first starting doing them, it was just for fun. But they quickly became a favorite of mine to create. I was never one to not be myself and I thought, what the hell...I'm wearing it out. I have gotten some weird looks in the past. For example when I went out for my friends birthday looking like Ke$ha in her "Take It Off" video the bartender asked me if he knew I had paint on my face. I just laughed. I'm crazy and have no limits! :)

3. You've written a very notable post regarding Marie Claire's article on the perception of larger-sized girls. Is this issue something you generally feel strongly about?
Sadly, not until recently this year. For the longest time I tried different diets and exercising. . I was ashamed of how I looked. And reading all those magazines growing up I just wanted to be a stick. That article lit a fire up under my ass to voice my opinion in the matter. I still workout, but I'm not hating on myself for being plus sized. Starting my blog actually changed my view on myself and seeing others like me out there all over the world. I know Marie Claire isn't and wont be the only magazine or person saying/feeling that way. Why should someone get away with making another feel badly about themselves?

4. What do you like best about blogging?
I love being able to vent, educate and ramble my opinion. It's also so amazing the people you can meet in the blogging community.

5. What do you like least about blogging?
It can be time consuming when your working and going to school all at once.

6. Are you more of a budget beauty, or a high-maintenance girl?
I'm high maintenance that is purely the truth! Lately I've been getting into indie brands, they cost less and sometimes have great products. But I'm true to Urban Decay, MAC and Chanel.

7. Lastly - I just HAVE to ask - any favorite beauty products you absolutely can't live without?
Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliners. It's the only eyeliner I use and I have it in all colors!

Beauty Blog Backstage: The Gloss Menagerie

As part of the Beauty Blog Backstage feature, I'm interviewing Alyson of The Gloss Menagerie! I hope I did OK, it's my first time having to interview someone!



1. What do you love best about beauty blogging?

Definitely getting to try all kinds of new products that I'd never even heard of before. It's also opened a lot of doors to do things (like work a booth at IMATS!) that I never would have gotten the opportunity to do before.

2. If you didn't have a beauty blog, what would you be blogging about?

I actually do have other non-beauty blogs, and I mostly talk about what's going on in my life, recipes, and random stuff like that. In the past I've blogged about ugly shoes, haha. I've gotten a lot of requests to bring that one back but I haven't made the time. Maybe I'll bring it back as a feature on The Gloss Menagerie? :P

3. What's the best and worst cosmetic item you've tried?

The best is a lot harder to choose because there are so many makeup items I love! Definitely one of the most life-changing was Urban Decay Primer Potion. I never knew something like that existed and once I tried it I became a lifetime fan! As far as worst goes, probably a pantene shampoo & conditioner I tried a few months back. It made my hair feel like straw. Ew.

4. What makeup item do you think is overrated?

I'm probably gonna get something thrown at me for saying this, but Cover Girl Lash Blast mascara. I tried it, and while it's not a bad mascara, it got SO much hype when it came out that I thought was kinda silly. There are mascaras out there that work way better for me. It's funny how makeup is so personal and how one person's love is another person's worst ever, haha.

5. You love cats...do you love any other animals?

Absolutely! I'm a huge animal lover. I have 2 cats and a fish. My other main obsession is horses. I adore the ponies! I actually was on an equestrian team for about 5 years and hope to pick that up again one day. It's a very expensive hobby, especially in Southern California where boarding a horse is ridiculously expensive. I also would really like to have a dog of my own. I've never been able to because of my parents not wanting one or because of living in a small apartment, etc. I love watching Animal Planet! In fact my cat is sitting on my computer mouse and part of my keyboard right now!

6. What's the most out-there makeup look you've ever tried?

I generally play it pretty safe with my makeup most of the time, but there have been times when I went to work (in a pretty casual office) with dark blue or teal eyeshadow on my lids and gold eyeliner or something. I'm also not one to shy away from lipstick in shades like bright hot pink or purple.

7. What would you do if you could never wear eyeshadow ever again?

I would cry!!!!! But I wouldn't get rid of all of it because I would still be able to apply it to other people, right? Ahhh what a cruel question!!!